Yorktown Virginia

Sunday March 20^th 1864

 

Dear Phemia

                        Do you think I am making good the old proverb "Out of sight out of mind". It is now one month since I wrote to you, but the time flies so rapidly to one in the army that it scarcely seems that half that time has passed since I sent my last letter. however if I have seemingly negglected you in writing I have not forgotton you, for there is seldom a day passes without my taking a long view of the little photograph you sent me and it has became such a constant companion that I hardly know how I should get along without it unless the original was where I could see it oftener. I have received one letter from you since I was at your / house, which I answered soon after receiving it. I was glad to hear in that letter that your health was no worse than when I was there, and I hope this may find it much improved. I think there will certainly be a change in your health when spring opens, and if it is for the better, which I most earnestly hope it may be, there will then be good grounds for hoping that you may soon recover. Do you still anticipate making a journey to Michigan next summer. I believe a change of place and climate would be beneficial to you if you were strong enough to endure the fatigue of such a journey. I presume Charlie has informed you of our Regiment reenlisting, or rather the most of them showing their willingness to do so by puting down their names for that purpose, but none of them have really enlisted yet for it is not certain that the war department will accept of the Regiment on the terms proposed by our Colonel, but if the Regiment is / accepted I think the majority of it will reinlist. but the large bounties together with all my patriotism has not been a sufficient inducement for me to put down my name til the present term of enlistment shall have expired. I think it will then be time enough to reenlist if a sence of duty requires it. I am very much pleased with the book you lent me while at your house. I was so much delighted with some of its contents that I have read it over several times. I will endeavour to take good care of it and if I donot soon have an oppertunity of sending it to you by some one going home on a furlow I will send it by Express. All the soldiers from Hopewell are in the enjoyment of good health. Charlie is in good health and on duty today. I think there is a good prospect of our Regiment staying in Yorktown some time longer. We have been here so long that the place seems something like home, and although I was / sorry when we were ordered here, I dont know but I should now leave it with reluctance if we were ordered away. I have no news to interest you with at present. I hope you will write as often as you can conveniently. I am ever glad to hear from you if it is but a few words.

 

            Dear Phemia my most earnest prayer shall be for your wellfare and that Heaven may bless and restore you to health. Please remember me kindly to your friends and accept the love and good wishes of

 

Your Affectionate Friend

Russell F. Wright

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